Honorable Jeff Wentworth, Chair, Senate Committee on Jurisprudence
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB584 by Fraser (Relating to the appointment in Blanco, Burnet, Llano, and San Saba Counties of associate judges in the district court and of criminal law magistrates in the drug courts.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would authorize the administrative district judge for Blanco, Burnet, Llano, and San Saba counties (33rd District) to appoint one or more part-time or full-time associate judges for any civil matter and to appoint a magistrate to perform the duties associated with the administration of a drug court. The administrative district judge would be authorized to establish the salary, benefits, and other compensation for the positions, unless compensation is to be paid from county funds. If compensation is paid from county funds, the salary would be set by the commissioners court and the appointments would be subject to approval by the commissioners court. The bill would take effect immediately if it receives the required two-thirds vote in each house; otherwise, it would take effect September 1, 2005.
Local Government Impact
It is assumed that appointments and salaries would be made only if the costs could be absorbed using existing funds; therefore, no significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council